Bafarawa Slams Governors Who ‘Retire’ To Senate, As He Announces Retirement From Active Politics

Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa has announced his decision to take a break and retire from active politics.

The former Governor stated that he feels he has done his best already and the time has come to allow others who are younger to play their role in active politics.

According to the 67-year-old chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while he won’t contest any elective office or accept a political appointment again, he would readily make advice available to whoever politician seeks it from him.

Bafarawa in his submission also questioned some state Governors who have the habit of seeking to go to the Senate after finishing their terms as Governors.

According to him, it is greed to finish Governorship and then aim for Senate as if there are no other qualified persons.

The former Sokoto State Governor argued that doing such is like having a whole state as Governor then going to Senate to have a portion of the same state.

Speaking in an interview with the Punch, the ex-governor said “There was a time I was in politics, the will to do it was there. Now, I don’t have it. I feel I have done my best based on the opportunity given to me and I am grateful for what God has done for me,” he said.

“Therefore, I will never go for any elective office for the rest of my life and I will never accept any appointment for the rest of my life. But I will always give my advice whenever it is needed.”

On those who want to cross over to the Senate after eight years as Governor, Bafarawa said: “Why would you serve eight years as governor of a state and then you come again and take one part of the state and say you are going to the national assembly?

“After serving for eight years, why don’t you allow others to go to the national assembly? As a former governor, the only thing you can look forward to is the presidency. Anything less than that is an abuse of privilege.

“Out of 200 million people, you are one of the few chosen to become governor, and after two terms, you come back again and say you want to go to the Senate. What are you going to the Senate to do? As a former governor, ask somebody to go and represent the people there. Then you give the person your wisdom.”